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Curriculum

PhD, Music Technology

How to Apply

The 36- to 48-credit PhD in Music Technology program prepares you for a career at the intersection of academia and industry, with in-depth training in theory and critical analysis of music and technology. You’ll specialize in specific research areas like computer music, immersive audio, music psychology and neuroscience, sound and music computing, and data science. 

Core Course Sequence 

The core sequence in the music technology PHD offers a pivotal foundation in digital signal and tonal theory, as well as elective coursework in advanced research methods, to gain both breadth and depth in your area of specialization. You may take advanced classes across NYU in a range of fields, including mathematics, computer science, engineering, psychology, and neuroscience. This degree path culminates in a dissertation and oral defense.

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Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 48 credits, comprised of the following:

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
Foundations
MPATE-GE 2599Fundamentals of Digital Signal Theory3
MPATE-GE 2598Fundamentals of Digital Signal Theory Lab1
MPATC-GE 2930Review of Tonal Theory I1
MPATC-GE 2931Review of Tonal Theory II1
Specialized Research Methodology
MPAME-GE 2130Research in Music and Music Ed3
Content and Dissertation Proposal Seminars
MPATE-GE 3060Doctoral Symposium in Music Technology3
MPAET-GE 3005Doct Proposal Seminar3
Electives 1
Research Electives18
Specialization Electives15
Total Credits48
1

Students entering with a master’s degree may receive advanced standing following a careful review of their transcripts and may be able to complete their doctoral studies for as few as 36 credits by taking fewer research and specialization electives.

Additional Program Requirements

Teaching Requirement

Doctoral Candidates are expected to complete at least one semester as a teaching assistant working with a full-time faculty member in preparing and teaching a class, as well as providing assistance to the students in that class. The student will further be expected to fulfill at least one semester of independent teaching after completing their experience as a teaching assistant. This experience is intended both to prepare students for teaching careers in higher education, as well as to further foster the mentoring relationship between the candidate and the faculty with whom they will be working on curricular development and teaching.

Doctoral Candidacy Exams

Doctoral degree candidacy in Music Technology is based on an oral examination and a written examination. The student will be required to take the doctoral candidacy exam after completing no more than 30 credits toward the degree.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
MPATE-GE 2599 Fundamentals of Digital Signal Theory 3
MPATE-GE 2598 Fundamentals of Digital Signal Theory Lab 1
MPATC-GE 2930 Review of Tonal Theory I 1
CSCI-GA 2112 Scientific Computing 3
MPAME-GE 2130 Research in Music and Music Ed 3
 Credits11
2nd Semester/Term
MPATC-GE 2931 Review of Tonal Theory II 1
MPATE-GE 2613 3 D Audio 3
CSCI-GA 1170 Fundamental Algorithms 3
MPATE-GE 2608 Algorithmic Composition and Computer Music Programming using Java 3
 Credits10
3rd Semester/Term
MPATC-GE 2200 Seminar in Music Theory 3
MPATE-GE 2623 Music Info Retrieval 3
CSCI-GA 2565 Machine Learning 3
 Credits9
4th Semester/Term
MPATE-GE 3060 Doctoral Symposium in Music Technology 3
MATH-GA 2962 Mathematical Statistics 3
 Credits6
5th Semester/Term
MPAIA-GE 3097 Dissertation Proposal Seminar 3
MPATC-GE 2046 Music Criticism 3
 Credits6
6th Semester/Term
CSCI-GA 3033 Spec Top Computer SCI: 3
MATH-GA 2563 Harmonic Analysis 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits48

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GE 4747) course.  All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.

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